OpenAI has launched a significant new feature for its popular AI, ChatGPT, enabling users to create group chats where multiple people can interact with the chatbot simultaneously. This move transforms the AI from a personal assistant into a collaborative tool for friends, family, or colleagues.
How ChatGPT Group Chats Work
The feature, which began a pilot rollout last week, is now available to all logged-in users. To start a group chat, users can click on a small person icon located in the top right corner of any new or existing chat. This action initiates a new, separate conversation thread, ensuring that previous private discussions remain confidential.
Up to 20 participants can be added to a single chat, either directly or via a shareable link. OpenAI has emphasised that these group conversations are kept entirely separate from personal ones. This means that any information stored in ChatGPT's memory from individual chats will not be accessible or leak into the group dynamic, safeguarding user privacy.
Enhanced AI for Group Dynamics
Within these group settings, ChatGPT operates on the powerful GPT-5.1 Auto model, which intelligently selects the best AI model to answer user queries. The chatbot has been specifically trained to navigate the complexities of group conversations.
This means it can read through the ongoing discussion and decide the most appropriate moments to contribute or remain silent. Furthermore, it is now capable of responding to messages using emojis, making its interactions feel more natural and integrated into typical messaging app behaviour.
OpenAI suggests this feature is ideal for practical group activities, such as collectively deciding on a restaurant for a meal or collaborating on a work document. The company stated that early feedback from the pilot phase has been "positive" and sees this update as just the beginning of ChatGPT evolving into a shared space for collaboration.
